Trust Now ‘Missing’ In Internet

Vice president of Europeans Commission, Neelie Kroes says, “Over a billion people around the world no longer trust the internet.”

Ms Kroes who is in charge of the European Commission’s Digital Agenda was giving speech to an audience where Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor Merkel were also present.

“The next phase of the internet will be data centred and connectivity-driven. Cloud computing, big data, the internet of things; tools that support manufacturing, energy, education, our cars and more. The internet is no longer about emails,”

She also added, “To make the ‘leap of faith’ into this new world, reliability and trust is pre-condition, but when even the phone of the chancellor is not sacred that trust can never again be taken for granted. Not only that, it is clear that for millions of Germans and billions around the world; that trust is now missing.”

Following from accusations that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone was hacked, Ms Kroes says it was clear trust was now missing. Ms Kroes, speaking at the CeBIT Tech Fair, said the future of the internet was based on trust.

“Trust can never again be taken for granted,” she added.

Ms Kroes referred to Mrs Merkel’s calls for a secure European communication network and said mind sets need to be changed and protections needed to be tightened if it was to work. She also said that European citizens should have the right to decide where their data goes. Kroes also explained further about how the European Commission already has proposals in place for a data protection directive, which requires companies and governments to take responsibility for data.

Ms Kroes has said the next few months were very important for the directive and that she would be working to get it finalised this year.

Some member states, including the UK have articulated concerns over the commission’s data protection plan; saying it could have a negative effect on business by striking more administration on them.

Ms Kroes also said, “The information that has been leaked by US intelligence whistle-blower, Edward Snowden had been a wake-up call and people should not snooze through it.”

“It shouldn’t make people turn their back on technology. Instead, protecting internet users with more than slogans was the key to improving future online security,” she added.

Also present at CeBIT was chief executive of Volkswagen, who called on carmakers to make sure connected cars that are connected to the internet do not become “data monsters”.

He said, “I clearly say yes to big data, yes to better security and convenience, but no to paternalism and Big Brother.”